Rileys will be a bad choice.

Very run down and crap when I last had the misfortune to be there. Cheapish pool is its only saving grace. Elbow Rooms on Park St is a nicer alternative if you want pool & beer & music. Pricier but more chance of eye-candy.

Plenty of eating options on Park St - eg Wagamamas, Yum Yum Thai, a couple of italian places, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Nandos, pub grub (depending on tastes and budget). Waterfront is pricier for food, but there's a Pizza Express and whatever the likes of BSB serve up at the lower end, a S American type food place at the mid-range, or some good choices at top end (Firehouse, Bordeaux Quay). Or for something different, a Hooters opened up a little while back. Looks pretty tacky.

The good bars on Park St are generally ok, the ones on the waterfront are a bit more hit & miss but that probably comes down to personal preference and whether you want a more refined night out (head for the ones without blaring music) or a cheap & cheerful one (head for the blaring music).

There's a very nice curry house on King St (Bristol Raj or something) which is not far from your hotel. Look for neon elephant sign if i recall and steps down off the street - great food and very relaxed. There's an Indian on the waterfront, but it's not great. King St also has a decent pizzeria and a few good pubs that spill onto the street (if a cider drinker, then you'll want to go to 'The Apple' at the river end of King St).

there's a nightclub on the waterfront which was ok in my student days but most clubs are in the centre of town. Not a nightclub person so wouldn't have a clue where is good. As mentioned below, the thekla is good fun but depends on what gigs they have on on the day.

Am assuming you wont want the trek or taxi ride up to Clifton village, but Avon Gorge Hotel (or rather the pub next door to it) has a good patio overlooking the gorge and bridge that is popular on a sunny afternoon. Some very good indian restaurants up there and a few nice pubs, but you're probably better off down on the waterfront if you want lively and a good choice of bars/meals at all the various price points.

Stick to King St for quieter 'proper' pubs, the Waterfront for large lively bars that wont cost a bomb (relatively speaking), or Park St and you won't go too far wrong.

Posted By: CWC, Aug 9, 10:41:12